11 Crazy Vocal Effects Used in Hit Songs (And How to Recreate Them)

Ever had that moment where you’re listening to a song, and the vocal effects hit you with something so unique, you’re left wondering, “How on earth did they do that?”

It’s like the artist has tapped into some mystical audio realm, creating sounds that stick with you long after the track ends.

Let’s break down 11 of the craziest voice effects used in hit songs and show you how to bring that same magic into your digital audio workstation at home—no million-pound studio required!

1. Vocoder magic

Think of Daft Punk, and you’ll probably hear those robotic, harmonised vocals playing in your head. That’s the power of the vocoder, one of the most iconic vocal processors out there. It can turn your voice into an instrument, creating a robotic harmony that’s as mesmerising as it is memorable.

The beauty of the vocoder lies in its ability to blend the human voice with synthesised sounds, resulting in a perfect mix of organic and electronic textures. Vocal artists in many styles of music use this effect to add futuristic flair.

To recreate this effect, you’ll need a synth, vocal effects unit or vocoder plugin, such as iZotope’s VocalSynth. Simply sing or speak into your microphone while playing chords on a keyboard. The plugin acts as a vocal processer, giving it that signature robotic texture.

Imogen Heap’s use of the vocoder in “Hide and Seek” offers a haunting and intimate vibe, showing the emotional depth a vocoder can bring, especially in a minimalist setting.

2. Reverse reverb

If you’ve ever been captivated by an eerie, otherworldly sound that seems to pull you into a vocal line, you’ve likely encountered reverse reverb. This effect creates a sense of anticipation, drawing listeners in before the actual vocal kicks in.

It’s a trick that’s been used in countless hit songs to build suspense and set the mood.

To apply reverse reverb in your audio track:

• Record the dry vocal track.
• Apply a heavy reverb plugin with a long decay.
• Render the reverb to a new track.
• Reverse the rendered reverb track.
• Align it before the original vocal to create a swelling effect.”

The Beatles use reverse reverb to create a haunting, surreal atmosphere, drawing listeners into the climax of the song. This effect enhances the dreamlike quality and adds emotional depth to the track’s conclusion.

3. Pitch shifting and formant shifting

Billie Eilish’s vocal performances show how pitch and formant shifting can create a unique and unforgettable sound. These vocal production techniques alter pitch and tonal quality in subtle or extreme ways.

• Pitch shifting raises or lowers the pitch.
• Formant shifting changes the voice’s tonal character, from more masculine to feminine, or even alien-like.

For iconic pitch correction, many rap vocals and pop records rely on Antares Auto-Tune, a staple in the music industry. To achieve this effect, you can use Auto-tune or a plugin like Waves SoundShifter.

Start by adjusting the pitch slider to find the right level for your track. Once you’re happy with the pitch, experiment with the formant slider to alter the vocal timbre.

Watch your dynamic range so you don’t lose the natural voice elements…unless, of course, that’s exactly what you’re going for.

Billie Eilish’s use of pitch and formant shifting in “Bad Guy” creates a unique vocal texture, balancing between childlike and menacing, ideal for conveying emotion without overproducing.

4. Granular synthesis

Granular synthesis is where things get truly experimental. This effect chops your vocals into tiny grains and rearranges them to create something entirely new.

It’s the kind of effect that can transform a simple vocal line into a complex, evolving texture that’s unlike anything else. To dive into granular synthesis, start by loading your vocal track into a granular synthesis plugin like Output’s Portal.

The plugin will break your vocals into tiny segments, or grains, which you can then stretch, mangle, and morph into unrecognisable textures.

The result can be a vocal sound that’s unique, adding a level of depth and complexity to your music that’s sure to captivate listeners.

Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” uses granular synthesis subtly to create an aggressive and disjointed vocal texture, perfect for adding complexity to a track.

5. Talk box techniques

The talk box is an old-school effect that never seems to go out of style. Think Peter Frampton, Bon Jovi, or even some modern hip-hop tracks—it’s a sound that’s instantly recognisable and always impressive.

It’s essentially a vocal effects pedal that sends sound from an instrument (like a keyboard or electric guitar) through a tube into your mouth, letting you shape the notes with your lips and tongue.

The talk box makes your voice sound like it’s speaking through an instrument, creating a blend of human and machine that’s both fascinating and fun. To recreate this effect, you’ll need a physical talk box, such as the MXR M222 Talk Box. Connect the talk box to your instrument and place the tube in your mouth.

As you play, speak or sing into the tube. The sound from your instrument travels through the tube, shaping your voice in real-time. The result is a vocal expressions that’s as interactive as it is unique, allowing you to create sounds that are completely your own.

The talk box in “Livin’ on a Prayer” is iconic and demonstrates how this technique can be used to create a memorable hook that sticks with listeners.

6. Pitch-bending with Auto-Tune

T-Pain made pitch-bending with Auto-Tune famous, and now it’s a staple in modern music across various genres. This effect creates smooth, sliding notes that are instantly recognizable and give your vocals a distinct, polished sound.

To achieve this effect, you’ll need Auto-Tune or a similar pitch correction plugin.

• Set the retune speed high for that robotic T-Pain style.
• For subtle pitch-bending, slow down the retune speed to preserve more of the natural voice.
• Keep an eye on your dynamic range – over-compression or extreme settings can cause unwanted artifacts.

Auto-Tune can be used to add a bit of flair to your vocals, making them stand out in a crowded musical landscape. 

T-Pain’s use of Auto-Tune pitch-bending creates smooth, sliding vocal lines that give the track its signature, polished sound. This effect not only adds a distinct, futuristic vibe but also emphasizes the melodic flow, making the vocals instantly memorable and engaging.

7. Granular delay effects

If you’re looking to take your delay effects to the next level, granular delay is the way to go. This effect adds a glitchy, fragmented texture to your vocals, perfect for electronic or experimental tracks.

Granular delay works by breaking up the delayed vocal signal into tiny grains and then manipulating those grains to create unique, evolving textures.

You’ll need a plugin like Soundtoys’ Crystallizer to create this effect.

• Start by adjusting the delay time and feedback settings to create the basic delay effect.
• Then, tweak the pitch and grain controls to add the granular texture.
• The result is a vocal sound that feels shattered and futuristic, with each repetition of the delay bringing something new to the table.

Granular delay is an excellent way to add depth and complexity to your vocals, turning a simple delay effect into something truly special.

St. Vincent’s use of granular delay in “Digital Witness” gives the female voice a glitchy, futuristic sound that’s both catchy and unsettling.

8. Distorted vocals

Distorted vocals are all about raw, gritty, in-your-face energy. This effect is perfect for adding some edge to your tracks, whether you’re working on a rock anthem, an aggressive hip-hop banger, or anything in between.

To create distorted vocals, you’ll need a distortion plugin like FabFilter Saturn. Start by cranking up the drive control to add the distortion. Then, experiment with different distortion types and settings to find the right sound for your track.

You can also add a low-pass filter to tame harshness if the distortion is overpowering. This helps you maintain a professional sound while still pushing the aggression factor.

The distorted vocals in “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz create an edgy, almost sinister vibe, perfect for adding intensity to a track.

9. Glitch and stutter effects

Glitch and stutter effects chop your vocals into pieces, creating rhythmic, stuttering patterns that can turn a simple phrase into a sonic masterpiece. 

These effects are perfect for electronic music, but they can also add an unexpected twist to more traditional genres.

To create glitch and stutter effects, you’ll need a plugin like Stutter Edit by iZotope. Start by loading a dry vocal into the plugin and selecting a stutter or glitch preset. From there, you can adjust the parameters to slice up your vocals and rearrange them into a completely new rhythm.

Skrillex’s use of glitch and stutter effects in his self-titled track showcases how these techniques can turn simple phrases into complex, rhythmic patterns that grab the listener’s attention.

10. Extreme filtering

Sometimes, less is more. Extreme filtering strips away parts of your vocal frequencies, creating a lo-fi, radio-like effect that adds character and nostalgia to your track.

Use an EQ or band-pass filter to cut lows and highs, or set a pre-delay in a reverb chain for spacey combos. For a telephone effect, a narrow midrange with a low-pass filter on the highs can create that nostalgic, lo-fi vibe.

This effect can make your vocals sound like they’re coming from an old radio, a telephone, or even a distant memory. To create this effect, use an EQ plugin to cut out either the low or high frequencies. You can also use a band-pass filter to isolate just the mids, giving your vocals a unique, confined sound.

The extreme filtering effect in “Telephone” by Lady Gaga makes the vocals sound as though they’re coming through a phone, adding a unique, lo-fi texture that contrasts with the modern music production.

Experiment with these effects to add flair to your vocals

There you have it—11 crazy vocal effects that have made hit songs unforgettable. The best part? You don’t need a million-pound studio to achieve them.

From glitched-out stutters to lush, studio-quality live vocal reverb, the sky’s the limit. With the right plugins and a bit of experimentation, you can bring these effects into your own music.

Before you know it, you’ll be crafting artificial vocal sounds, bizarre pitch shifts, or haunting wet reverb tails that captivate your audience.